Wednesday, June 17, 2009

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Tomorrow is International Picnic Day; a day, that in my book, should be spent communing with nature in places of incredible beauty while consuming food meant for the gods. I'm no slouch when it comes to picnics. I earned my merit badge when the children were small and we'd cycle to the park. My bicycle had the air of an armoured personnel carrier about it. Each child had a bicycle seat; one child rode in front, the other in back and a wicker basket, strapped to the handle bars, held our feast. In retrospect, it's a miracle we all weren't killed, but this was long before bicycle helmets or accident statistics concerned anyone and I did have one spiffy safety feature - a ring-a-ding bell that kept other drivers at bay. Can you hear it? We made lots of PB&J sandwiches back then. Our picnics changed with the times and the repertoire now includes delights from France, Italy, Spain, Vietnam and Texas - yes Texas. Texas barbecue became a favorite of mine once I'd learned how to order and make it. My first foray - in Texas - was a real bust. I asked for, and received, Texas-style barbecue. I expected a warm bun smothered by a pile of shredded pork that dripped barbecue sauce. I received a slice of spongy white bread and a pile of unsauced brisket on a paper plate. Disappointed doesn't begin to describe my reaction. Fortunately, I'm a fast learner and can handle myself pretty well at a Texas barbecue these days. A few months ago I was thrilled to find a crock-pot recipe for pulled pork at The Splendid Table; it's called Ultimate Cheater Pulled Pork and it's extraordinarily good. They reprinted it from Cheater's BBQ: Barbecue Anytime, Anywhere, In Any Weather by Mindy Merrell and R. B. Quinn. Their recipe is so good that I threw away one I'd used for years. The recipe utilizes a rub and does not include a sauce, so you can use your favorite barbecue sauce after the meat has been pulled. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup liquid smoke. That's not a mistake. I've just checked the labels of three brands of smoke because I thought that might be a concern to you. They all contain just 2 ingredients; water and liquid smoke. Liquid smoke is a condensate that forms when wood chips or sawdust is burned. It is passed through water to create a solution that can be bottled. I am not a food chemist, but that seems safe enough to me. I have a large pork butt simmering in the crock-pot for our picnic tomorrow. I'll pack it in an insulated container and reheat it on a grill when we're ready to eat. I really like this recipe. I think you will, too..

Directions:
1) To make Cheater Dry Rub, combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake to blend. Yield: 2/3 cup.

2) To make Cheater Pulled Pork: Cut pork butt into 3 or 4 large pieces. Place into a 5-quart slow-cooker. Sprinkle meat with 1/4 cup rub, turning pieces to coat evenly. Add bottled smoke. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours or on LOW for 10 to 12 hours. Using tongs and a slotted spoon, transfer meat to a rimmed platter or baking sheet. Let rest until cool enough to handle. Pull meat into strands. Serve piled on buns with your favorite barbecue sauce. To serve barbecue later, cover and refrigerate meat when it has cooled. Pour meat juice into a separate container and refrigerate. Before reheating juices, skim and discard congealed fat layer that forms on top. To reheat barbecue, place in a saucepan moistened with some reserved juice. Gently heat on medium low, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, place it in a covered casserole with some reserved juice and heat in a 350 degree F oven for 20 to 30 minutes. While meat warms, combine barbecue sauce and some of remaining meat juice in a small saucepan. Heat through and serve with pulled pork. Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

I'm sending this to Outdoor Wednesday, an event sponsored by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

I'm also going on a picnic and I'm bringing pulled pork. My letter is U.

76 comments
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Loved ready about your picnic history! I was getting quite the picture of the bicycle rides :-) I do pork similar to that in the crockpot. My husband begs for it. Thanks for stopping by my blog and the kind words about my flowers!

Hi Mary...I do mine in a crock pot, but more on the sweet side, no smoke. I made it a few years ago for our beach community..150 people..not too many knew what it was..it is just starting to get popular here..we are slow!Thanks for your recipe..I use Coke in mine..

Wow! You've picked one of my all time favorites and this sounds wonderful. Sorry you had a bad experience with Texas BBQ - there are some places that really know how to cook a brisket, and others - well, not so much lol. But pulled pork is my favorite, being born in Mississippi and all! Kathy

I have been looking for a good crockpot bbq recipe for years! Every one I've tried has not had that "right" flavor. By being able to use your own sauce, I think this might just solve that problem! Thanks!

I love pulled pork! I didn't know that tomorrow is International Picnic Day, guess I'll be packing the picnic basket and heading to the beach. Wish I had a bike with a bell for the trip. Happy Outdoor Wednesday Mary!

Those were different days back then weren't they? We didn't even have to use seat belts in the car - couldn't risk such as that these days!

This recipe sounds wonderful. Our local favorite BBQ joint The Shed won the Live's Hometown BBQ contest for last week and they'll be featured on Live tomorrow with their pulled pork. It had me wanting a taste for pulled pork, so your post is timely!

This is a wonderful way to do pulled pork...I have a similar recipe that also uses the slow cooker.I loved reading about your picnics when your kids were small- what great memories for all of you!I would love to be at that picnic table in your photo right now- it looks so beautiful and relaxing!

Mary, fisrt of all, love your recipes, you must be 'cook extraordinaire'. . .I had to smile when I read that you talked about blue poppy seeds from Buchart Gardens, because I bought some blue poppy seeds and hope to get some started in our yard. . .Have a great day!

I just told my son that tomorrow is picnic day and we will have to go on a picnic. He is very excited about this! He probably won't go for a pulled pork sandwich, darn it. Oh well, all the more for me then!

Hi Mary, I so enjoyed your story about taking your children on a picnic. It brings back fond memories of picnicing with our children and yes pb&j sandwiches were the main course, and we all just enjoyed them so. Thank you for sharing and this recipe looks delicious. Hope your picnic is filled with many fond memories. Sue

I just had my first "Texas BBQ this past weekend and found the same thing. Dry bread, with some brisket. I had no idea, I just ate the brisket and tossed the bread!I recently made a pulled pork recipe in the crock pot and was pleasantly surprised. I'll have to try this version.

I moved to Virginia in High School and have yet to understand the differences between the different styles of bbq but Pierce's is darn good. This looks good and not too saucey. I'm going to have to try this!!!and I LOVED the visual image of you on your bike. I can just see it!have a good picnic.

Well now, that just ain't right. As a Texan bbq connoisseur, they should have given you a bottle of sauce, crackers and bread and some potato salad and coleslaw. I shall report them to the BBQ police immediately.

I am bookmarking this -because have been looking for a pulled-pork recipe for ages and this fits the bill. June is the best month for picnics - and just to get outside iwth family and friens and fod - is so wonderful. The recipe is grand!

Oooh International Picnic Day sounds great! Love picnics! And I know what you mean about pre-helmet, pre-safety statistics days. Things were simpler and happier back then when nobody thought of all the danger! We just had fun!

Great recipe! I have to admit, I've been making-do with the pulled pork from the deli - I'm definitely going to try this one instead.

I enjoyed your picnic story - I'll remember you and smile the next time I'm strapping the helmet and knee pads on my granddaughter, preparing her for today's treacherous bike rides! We lived in a simpler time....

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